Clarence Lowell Howard

Clarence Lowell Howard, 93, a longtime resident of Mount Vernon, WA passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on December 30, 2022.

Clarence was born to Charles and Bertie Howard and grew up in Lyman, WA.  He graduated from Sedro Woolley High School and married the love of his life, Virginia Greenstreet.   They were married for 74 years and together they shared a life devoted to each other, their family and friends.

Clarence was a professional driver.  He loved driving and meeting people.  He always said  “I get to go to work”.  In his early days he worked at Maple Court Dairy delivering milk then Langendorf Bakeries delivering bread. In his retirement years they traveled in their motorhome and began spending winters in AZ, Snowbirding.  Dad was not one to sit around so he started driving tour buses for Greyline of Seattle while in Washington and Dial-a-Tour in Yuma, AZ in the winters.  He loved the people, the driving and exploring.  Clarence and Virginia bought their own bus and started Cruisin’ with Clarence (CWC Charters), hiring their bus out to Greyline, Dial-a-Tour and doing some of their own tours.  Clarence drove and Virginia was his tour guide.  They had many fun adventures together.  After selling their bus, he went to work for Chuckanut Golf Carts, where you would see him and Virginia driving a Semi with double stacked golf carts to all the golf courses in the area.  He also worked at several golf courses working on golf carts.

Clarence loved motorcycle riding, traveling, golfing, camping with his family, attending sports events for his kids and grandkids, playing cards “Chance” with his friends, and spending lots of time with family and friends.  Clarence and Virginia were avid golfers.  They traveled with friends to golf courses in multiple states. He was always taking Virginia, his kids and grandkids golfing trying to teach them and get them interested in the game.  His best student ended up being Virginia.  Clarence got one hole-in-one during his golf years, Virginia got three.  He made many friends wherever he went.  He had an endless curiosity and was always talking to people and asking about their lives.  He had an infectious smile and treated all he met with respect.  The best gift he gave his family was the love, adoration and respect he gave to his “bride”, Virginia, for 74 years.   

He is survived by his wife, Virginia Howard, Son’s Mike (Cathy) Howard, Pat (Florence) Howard, and daughter Debbie (Steve) Howard-Kite. Grandchildren, Randy (Leslie) Howard, Holly (Brad) Clifton, Scott (Tammy) Howard, Amy (Mike) Clements, Tom Howard, Tim (Brynna) Howard, Kristi (Jason) Diaz, Sara Holstine and Robert Holstine. ten Great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, two sister-in-laws Nonie Howard, Shirley Perry and one brother-in-law, Gene Perry. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Bertie Howard; in-law’s Otto and Hazel Greenstreet; his son, Danny Lowell Howard; brother, Stanley Howard; brother-in-law, Dean Greenstreet. 

The family wants to thank all the staff at Josephine Caring Community in Stanwood, especially the Memory Care Staff, for the extraordinary care, respect and support they provided for Clarence and our family. 

Clarence and Virginia had a party to celebrate their 70th wedding Anniversary where over 200 relatives and friends attended.  They said that was the best celebration of their lives together and they both were able to attend.  Clarence always said, “Keep it Simple”.  There will be a simple graveside service on Friday, January 13, 2023 at 1:00 pm at Hawthorne Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 1825 E. College Way, Mount Vernon, WA 98273.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Clarence’s memory can be made to a charity of your choice.